One of my favourite past times is to makan angin by taking drives to the fringes of the urban centres. To me, this is where the real Malaysians live. It is where the real Malaysia exists.
The obvious thing that one notices when driving away from the city centres or town centres is that the roads and road shoulders get progressively ramshackle and unkempt.
Rubbish is strewn and heaped in untidy piles. Undergrowth is rampant and way too wild. Stray dogs forage openly.
It is not a pretty sight.
But, this is where many, many Malaysians live; in the fringes of urban centres.
Why aren't Local Councils allocating more resources to maintain these fringe areas?
It is obvious that fringe areas are less densely populated. It is clear that this is where the working class Malaysians live. It is noticeable that these are localities where automotive chop shops, recycling yards, light industrial activities have found their place.
In short, these fringe areas do not contribute as much assessment as the buildings and structures in the urban centres.
That said, Local Councils cannot discriminate against fringe areas. This is irresponsible.
I am quite convinced that if Local Councils allocate more resources to maintain street lighting, collect rubbish more frequently, clean up the illegal rubbish heaps, cut the undergrowth and used mechanised sweepers to sweep away debris and loose gravel from road shoulders, residents in these fringe areas will see that being civic-minded is beneficial.
This will create a virtuous cycle.
Local Councils must stop the discrimination of fringe areas in favour of urban centres.
